Question: How is effort force affected when applied closer to the fulcrum? Hypothesis: If the effort force is closer to the fulcrum then you will have to exert more force to keep the load force up because it requires more force to move something when you are closer to the pivot point. Variables: controlled: load force, fulcrum position, size of fulcrum, distance from load to fulcrum. dependent: effort force. Independent: distance. Materials: meter stick, weights, force sensor, pencil Instructions:
1. The smaller end of the meter stick will be for the load force. (The 0cm end). This means that the load you are trying to lift should be at this end.
2. The larger end of the meter stick (the 100-cm end) will be for the effort force.
3. Set up your lever like a meter stick with no weights, and the fulcrum close to the middle so the lever acts like a see-saw, balanced in the middle.
4. Put a load of 50 g at the LOAD END of the lever. Put the load as close as possible to the end of the lever. Be careful that the fulcrum stays in place.
5. Apply a force by pushing the Force Sensor down on the FORCE END of the lever. Add just enough to lift the load.
6. Record the Newtons you need to lift the load. (I've done this one as an example below).
7. Repeat steps 4- 6 changing the Effort Force Distance.
8. Record the data in the data table.
Fulcrum At (cm)
Load at End of Ruler (g)
Load distance (cm) (from fulcrum to load)
Effort Force needed (Newton’s)
Effort Force Distance (cm)
50
50
49
0.4
99
50
50
49
0.6
90
50
50
49
0.8
80
50
50
49
2.4
60
The closer you exert the effort force to the fulcrum the more force you have to exert to get the load off the ground.
Conclusion: I thought in my hypothesis that If the effort force is closer to the fulcrum then you will have to exert more force to keep the load force up because it requires more force to move something when you are closer to the pivot point. My hypothesis was correct, you do have to exert more force if you are closer to the pivot point. Limitations of ExperimentalDesign: the lab went very well but I got very confused with putting the information in the table and organizing my info. Suggestions for Improvement: I would change the lab by using a sturdier lever with a fulcrum that stayed in one place to eliminate the variable that could have changed the experiment. I would like to see what would happen with weights that were heavier and seeing how much weight it takes to need 100+ newtons to lift it.
Lever Lab
Question: How is effort force affected when applied closer to the fulcrum?Hypothesis: If the effort force is closer to the fulcrum then you will have to exert more force to keep the load force up because it requires more force to move something when you are closer to the pivot point.
Variables: controlled: load force, fulcrum position, size of fulcrum, distance from load to fulcrum. dependent: effort force. Independent: distance.
Materials: meter stick, weights, force sensor, pencil
Instructions:
1. The smaller end of the meter stick will be for the load force. (The 0cm end). This means that the load you are trying to lift should be at this end.
2. The larger end of the meter stick (the 100-cm end) will be for the effort force.
3. Set up your lever like a meter stick with no weights, and the fulcrum close to the middle so the lever acts like a see-saw, balanced in the middle.
4. Put a load of 50 g at the LOAD END of the lever. Put the load as close as possible to the end of the lever. Be careful that the fulcrum stays in place.
5. Apply a force by pushing the Force Sensor down on the FORCE END of the lever. Add just enough to lift the load.
6. Record the Newtons you need to lift the load. (I've done this one as an example below).
7. Repeat steps 4- 6 changing the Effort Force Distance.
8. Record the data in the data table.
Conclusion: I thought in my hypothesis that If the effort force is closer to the fulcrum then you will have to exert more force to keep the load force up because it requires more force to move something when you are closer to the pivot point. My hypothesis was correct, you do have to exert more force if you are closer to the pivot point.
Limitations of Experimental Design: the lab went very well but I got very confused with putting the information in the table and organizing my info.
Suggestions for Improvement: I would change the lab by using a sturdier lever with a fulcrum that stayed in one place to eliminate the variable that could have changed the experiment. I would like to see what would happen with weights that were heavier and seeing how much weight it takes to need 100+ newtons to lift it.